Tattvartha Sutra - Book Summary

This document is a Gujarati translation and commentary of the Tattvartha Sutra, a fundamental Jain text authored by Acharya Umaswami. It is presented as "Mokshashastra" (The Scripture of Liberation).

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Book Details:

Title: Tattvartha Sutra (also referred to as Mokshashastra)
Author: Acharya Umaswami
Editor/Compiler: Malina Shirishbhai Vakhariya
Publisher: Veervidya Sangh, Ahmedabad
First Edition: January 28, 1991
Purpose: Intended for private and personal study and for distribution to the Jain community.
Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/005342/1

Introduction (Prastavana):

The Tattvartha Sutra is an ancient and highly revered text in Jainism, considered a foundational scripture.
It is praised for its concise yet comprehensive presentation of Jain philosophy in Sanskrit sutras.
Its significance is such that it is universally accepted across all Jain sects (Digambar, Shvetambar, Sthanakvasi).
It is likened to the Quran for Muslims, the Bible for Christians, and the Gita for Brahmins in its importance.

Structure and Content Overview:

The text is divided into ten chapters (Adhyayas), each focusing on specific aspects of Jain philosophy:

Chapter 1 (Pratham Adhyay):
- Defines the path to liberation (Moksha Marga) as the union of Right Faith (Samyak Darshan), Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnana), and Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra).
- Explains the nature of Right Faith (faith in the true nature of reality/principles).
- Details the Seven Tattvas (principles): Jiva (soul), Ajiva (non-soul), Asrava (influx of karma), Bandha (bondage of karma), Samvara (cessation of karma influx), Nirjara (shedding of karma), and Moksha (liberation).
- Discusses methods of knowing these principles: Niskhepa (Name, Establishment, Substance, Form), Pramananaya (validity and partial views), and various analytical categories (Nirdesh, Swamitva, Sadhana, Adhikaran, Sthiti, Vidhan, Sat, Sankhya, Kshetra, Sparshan, Kalan, Antar, Bhav, Alpamahattva).
- Elaborates on the five types of knowledge (Jnana): Mati (sense-based), Shruta (scriptural), Avadhi (clairvoyance), Manahparyaya (telepathy), and Kevala (omniscience).
- Differentiates between paroksha (indirect) and pratyaksha (direct) knowledge.
- Explains the various classifications and subsets of Mati Jnana and Shruta Jnana.
Chapter 2 (Dwitiya Adhyay):
- Focuses on the soul (Jiva) and its unique states (Asadharana Bhavas) – Oupashamik, Kshayik, Mishra/Kshayopashamik, Audayik, and Parinamik.
- Details the different types and classifications within these states.
- Defines the soul by its characteristic of "Upayoga" (consciousness or application of soul's nature).
- Explains the classification of souls into Samsari (those in the cycle of birth and death) and Mukta (liberated).
- Further categorizes Samsari souls as Manasaka/Sanjni (with mind) and Amanaska/Asanjni (without mind).
- Discusses souls based on their senses (Indriyas) and the types of souls: Ekendriya (one-sensed), Trindriya (three-sensed), Chaturindriya (four-sensed), and Panchendriya (five-sensed), as well as the classification of Ekendriya into Sthavara (immobile) and the five types of earth-bodied, water-bodied, fire-bodied, air-bodied, and plant-bodied souls.
- Describes the five types of bodies (Sharira): Audarik, Vaikriyik, Aharak, Taijas, and Karman.
- Explains the concept of transmigration and the process of entering a new body.
Chapter 3 (Tritiya Adhyay):
- Focuses on the lower worlds (Adholok), describing the seven hellish realms (Naraka prabha).
- Details the number of dwelling places (Bil) in each hell.
- Describes the suffering, classifications of beings (Narakis), and the nature of their existence, including their severe suffering and the causes of their rebirth in hell.
- Explains the lifespan of Narakis.
- Discusses the middle world (Madhyalok), detailing the Jambu Island and the progression of island-continents (Dvipa-Samudras).
- Describes the structure and arrangement of these Dvipas and Samudras.
- Focuses on Jambu Island, the central Meru Mountain, and the seven regions (Varsha) within it.
- Explains the mountain ranges separating these regions and their characteristics.
- Details the lakes and lotuses on these mountains and the celestial beings residing there.
- Describes the rivers flowing through the regions and their tributaries.
- Explains the size and progression of regions and mountains.
- Discusses the cyclical nature of time (Utsarpini and Avasarpini) and its impact on life forms in the Bharat and Airavat regions, contrasting it with the unchanging nature of other regions.
- Describes the lifespan and bodily characteristics of beings in various regions.
Chapter 4 (Chaturtha Adhyay):
- Focuses on the celestial realms (Urdhva Lok), detailing the four types of celestial beings (Deva): Bhavanvasi (dwellers of lower celestial mansions), Vyantar (intermediate celestial beings), Jyotishi (luminous celestial beings), and Vaimanika (celestial beings residing in aerial vehicles).
- Explains the classifications within these types and their respective lifespans, powers, and enjoyments.
- Details the various celestial classes like Indras, Samanikas, Trayastrimshas, etc.
- Discusses the different forms of celestial reproduction and the evolution of their experiences, from physical interaction to purely mental union.
- Explains the types of celestial vehicles (Viman) and their hierarchical arrangement.
- Describes the respective lifespans, from the lower Bhavanvasis to the highest Vaimanikas.
- Mentions the different Lésyas (color of the soul's aura) of celestial beings.
Chapter 5 (Panchama Adhyay):
- Focuses on the non-soul (Ajiva) element.
- Defines the five types of Ajiva: Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Akash (space), Pudgala (matter), and Kala (time). (Note: The text clarifies Kala as a substance, making it six substances in total: Jiva and Ajiva, with Ajiva comprising the other five).
- Explains the fundamental characteristics of substances: eternity, immutability in essence, and the possession of qualities and modifications.
- Details the nature of Pudgala (matter) and its properties (touch, taste, smell, color).
- Explains the infinite nature of space and the immense, though not infinite, number of regions in time, Dharma, and Adharma.
- Discusses the concept of regions (Pradesha) within substances.
- Explains the function of Dharma (enabling movement), Adharma (enabling rest), and Akash (providing space for all substances).
- Describes the functions of Pudgala (forming bodies, speech, mind, breath) and Kala (enabling change and duration).
- Discusses the physical manifestations of Pudgala, such as sound, bondage, color, and form.
- Explains the atomic (Anu) and composite (Skandha) nature of matter.
Chapter 6 (Shashtha Adhyay):
- Focuses on the influx of karma (Asrava) and the causes of karma.
- Defines Asrava as the movement of soul-matter that leads to karma bondage.
- Classifies Asrava into auspicious (Puṇya) and inauspicious (Papa) based on the actions of mind, speech, and body (Yoga).
- Explains the concept of Sayog and Ayog Asrava (karma influx with or without the involvement of mind, speech, or body).
- Details the causes for the influx of specific karmas, such as knowledge-obscuring karma, perception-obscuring karma, feeling-producing karma, deluding karma, lifespan-determining karma, name-karma, status-determining karma, and obstruction-causing karma.
- Explains the specific actions and attitudes that lead to the accumulation of these different types of karma.
Chapter 7 (Saptama Adhyay):
- Focuses on vows (Vrata) and their practice.
- Defines vows as abstaining from violence, falsehood, stealing, unchastity, and accumulation.
- Categorizes vows into partial (Anu Vrata) and full (Mahavrata).
- Details the supporting practices (Bhāvanā) for each vow to maintain its stability.
- Explains the principles of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possession).
- Discusses the faults (Atichara) or transgressions of these vows.
- Explains the importance of ethical conduct, virtuous qualities, and renunciation.
- Describes the practice of ethical restraints and the importance of purity of intention.
- Discusses the concept of Salelekhana (voluntary fasting leading to death) as a means of karma purification.
- Explains the nine qualifications for pure Right Faith (Samyak Darshan) and the faults to avoid.
Chapter 8 (Ashtama Adhyay):
- Focuses on the bondage of karma (Bandha).
- Reiterates the causes of karma bondage: wrong faith, vows broken, negligence, and passions.
- Explains the four types of karma bondage: Prakriti (nature of karma), Sthiti (duration of karma), Anubhaga (intensity of karma), and Pradesha (quantity of karma).
- Details the numerous sub-types of the eight main karmas (Jnanavarniya, Darshanavarniya, Vedaniya, Mohaniya, Ayushya, Nama, Gotra, Antaraya).
- Explains the duration (Sthiti) and intensity (Anubhaga) of these karmas.
- Defines Pudgala (matter) as the substance that forms karma.
- Distinguishes between meritorious (Puṇya) and demeritorious (Papa) karmas.
Chapter 9 (Navama Adhyay):
- Focuses on Samvara (cessation of karma influx) and Nirjara (shedding of karma).
- Defines Samvara as the prevention of new karma entering the soul.
- Explains the means of achieving Samvara: Gupti (control of mind, speech, and body), Samiti (careful conduct in walking, speaking, eating, etc.), Dharma (ten virtues), Anupreksha (contemplation of reality), Parishaha (endurance of hardships), and Charitra (conduct).
- Details the five Samitis and the ten virtues.
- Explains the 22 types of hardships (Parishaha) and their significance for spiritual progress.
- Discusses the five types of Charitra: Samayika, Chedopasthapana, Parihar Vishuddhi, Sukshma Samparaya, and Yathakhyata.
- Explains the practice of Tapas (austerities) as a means of karma shedding (Nirjara).
- Categorizes Tapas into external (Bahya) and internal (Abhyantara).
- Details the six external austerities (Anashana, Avamaudarya, Vrittisamkhyana, Rasatyaga, Vivikta Shayyasana, Kayaklesha).
- Details the six internal austerities (Prayashchitta, Vinaya, Vaiyavritya, Svādhyāya, Vyutsarga, Dhyāna).
- Explains the types of meditation (Dhyana) – Artā, Raudra, Dharma, and Shukla – and their role in spiritual development, with Shukla Dhyana being the path to liberation.
- Discusses the different stages of spiritual development (Gunasthana) and the Parishahas experienced at each stage.
Chapter 10 (Dashama Adhyay):
- Focuses on liberation (Moksha).
- Explains the conditions for attaining Kevala Jnana (omniscience) and subsequent Moksha, which involves the destruction of all karmas.
- Defines Moksha as the complete liberation of the soul from karmic bondage, leading to its eternal state of pure consciousness, bliss, and knowledge.
- Clarifies that liberation involves the cessation of not just material karma but also the passions and the states that bind the soul.
- Describes the upward journey of the liberated soul (Siddha) through the universe, its cessation at the end of the Lokakasha (luminous universe), and its eternal existence in a state of infinite bliss and knowledge.
- Provides analogies to explain the soul's upward movement and its eternal dwelling.
- Explains the subtle differences between liberated souls based on various factors like space, time, origin, etc.

This comprehensive summary provides a good overview of the Tattvartha Sutra's teachings as presented in this Gujarati edition.